The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has welcomed the First People’s Assembly of Victoria for the first time to mark National Reconciliation Week in the Macedon Ranges.

National Reconciliation Week is held each year from 27 May to 3 June and is a time to learn about First Peoples’ histories, cultures and achievements.

This year’s theme ‘Now More Than Ever’ is a reminder that we must continue on the journey of reconciliation for First Nations peoples.

At a special event at Kyneton Town Hall on 28 May, Joshua Carter – proud Noongar and Bardi man and Youth Voice Coordinator – and Drew Berick – proud Dja Dja Wurrung man and Elder Voice Coordinator – spoke about the Youth and Elders’ Voice initiatives of First People’s Assembly. 

The First Peoples Assembly is an independent body that represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria.

Its members are Traditional Owners of Country who have been chosen by their communities to represent their hopes needs and ideas in the journey to Treaty.

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said it was a privilege for Macedon Ranges Shire Council to host the First People’s Assembly of Victoria at this year’s event.

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to hear their stories and I encourage everyone to come along to learn more about truth-telling and the journey to Treaty,” she said.

“Participating in National Reconciliation Week events, which provide opportunities to build and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other Australians, is a key action in Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and we are pleased to be able to deliver on this again this year.”

CFA members and dignitaries have gathered in recent days to celebrate 125 years of the Bendigo Fire Brigade.

During the anniversary celebration on May 25, Victorian Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan with Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook presented the 125-year plaque to the brigade. 

Bendigo’s beginnings spawned from a colourful history when it started in 1899. Back then, there were two brigades Sandhurst City and Sandhurst One. Sandhurst was the name of the town before it became Bendigo. 

At the time the local council would offer five pounds to the first firefighter on scene when a fire started. 

“The firefighters would then spend money at the pub and have too much to drink, sometimes even missing callouts!” Bendigo Captain Ian Ellis said. 

“The council called a meeting and formed the Temperance Fire Brigade; Bendigo. No alcohol could be consumed by a volunteer at the station or within the station. To this day it’s still the same. 

“Because there was no alcohol the community commented on how well trained the brigade was and how well they looked after the equipment.” 

The brigade has occupied three fire station sites since its inception, View Street, Hargreaves Street and now the current (temporary) location of Deborah Street. 

Ian said the biggest changes over the years was how well-equipped firefighters were when fighting fires.  

“Firefighters today are more versatile and educated in fighting fires than they were many years ago. I am really pleased with the way things are,” he said.  

Ian started with Bendigo 45 years ago, following a long line of Ellis’ into CFA. 

“My father, uncles, cousins, former Deputy Chief Officer Alan Ellis. It’s a family tradition. I was brought up since I was a small boy seeing dad go to fires and knew that was what I wanted to do.”   

Next year Ian will step down as Captain.  

“I have done it for 45 years and it’s a young person’s game now. There are a lot of keen young people who want to do all the training and have more time than what I do. I’ve got a great team to takeover,” he said. 

“I still get a buzz going to fires but I am also realistic and I can’t go on forever. Good team behind me. Bendigo has a good future, which I am very pleased about.” 

Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook congratulated the brigade on 125 years of serving the community. 

“It’s been fantastic celebrating such a momentous millstone with the Bendigo Fire Brigade,” he said. 

“I am so proud the brigade has been protecting and serving the community for such a long time, and I am sure will continue to do so for another 125 years,” he said.  

The brigade currently has 38 members (16 of these are operational firefighters) and they attend approximately 100 incidents annually.  

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed its new Budget 2024-25 and Council Plan 2021-2031.

The final documents follow months of internal consideration and community feedback, with the council inviting submissions over a four-week period in late 2023 and more than 100 submissions received (some in support of other submissions). 

Through this consultation, a number of community-driven ideas will be funded in 2024-25, including resurfacing works for the Romsey netball and tennis courts; LED lighting upgrades for the South Gisborne Tennis Club; and essential design works for several other projects. 

These initiatives are complemented by a Capital Works Program for 2024-25, which includes upgrades to key roads in Baynton, Kyneton, Spring Hill and Woodend; and bridge upgrades in Lancefield, Macedon (Clarke Street footbridge) and Romsey. 

Several key projects started in 2023-24 have also had a further allocation of funding to either close out or continue the projects in 2024-25 including Stage 2 of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct, the Macedon Ranges Shared Trail Project and the Kyneton Showgrounds netball development. 

Meanwhile, Council Plan projects due to progress or finalise in 2024-25 include the Kyneton Town Centre Urban Design Framework, the Climate Emergency Response Plan, Open Space Strategy and several recreational master plans including the Macedon Ranges Community Equestrian Facilities Master Plan. 

Mayor Annette Death: “I’d like to thank all those in the community who took the time to provide valuable budget submissions, and to council officers for their consideration and work in finalising these key documents, in partnership with councillors.” 

“We are living through challenging economic times and not everything we would like to fund is possible within one financial year, but with our available funds – including external government grants – we believe we’ve been able to land on a sustainable budget that supports our community.” 

Also of note, as part of the council’s annual fees and charges review it is nw moving towards a full cost recovery model at its three resource recovery facilities, meaning services previously provided free of charge – such as dropping off residential green waste and comingled recycling – will now incur a fee. 

This follows a directive from the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Good Practice Guide on Service Rates and Charges for Kerbside Collection, with councils being asked to move away from including certain fees in the waste charge of rates notices that are for services not specific to a household. 

Consistent with a number of other local councils, the green waste disposal charge is set by cubic metre, with a standard 6x4x1 trailer-load of green waste to cost $13.80. A full list of fees and charges is attached to the Budget 2024-25. 

“The changes to the way Council factors in certain shared waste charges with rates means that we have to adapt and change some of our business-as-usual, to help our Resource Recovery Facilities to pay for themselves,” Mayor Death said. 

“We want to continue supporting our residents by offering important initiatives such as green waste disposal, but this comes at a cost to Council and it is not sustainable for us to continue offering this for free. We know this is a low-cost measure and ensures we don’t operate at a loss.”  

“The good news for our ratepayers is that due to the introduction of these fees at our facilities, the mandatory waste charges within rates notices will not increase as a result.” 

The council received and disposed of about 50,000 cubic metres in the last financial year, with this number steadily increasing by about 5,000 cubic metres year on year. 

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed a new Draft Heritage Strategy in recent days, ahead of inviting community consultation in response to its contents.

The draft strategy, a ten-year strategic planning tool that sets out Council’s approach to the management of heritage within the shire over 2024-34, was endorsed for a period of community consultation to begin in June. 

The draft strategy has been informed by input from council staff and feedback from the community, through an initial consultation period last year in which residents were invited to share what they love about the heritage of Macedon Ranges through photos and words. 

The draft strategy proposes a list of 26 actions, comprising 18 new actions and eight that have already been implemented and are ongoing, but which are worthy of continued support. 

Mayor Annette Death: “This updated draft strategy, complemented by the recently endorsed Thematic Environmental History, is essential to ensuring Council has a clear purpose and actions when it comes to protecting our shire’s heritage.” 

“I encourage anyone with an interest in the Macedon Ranges’ rich history to review the updated draft strategy and provide their feedback.” 

RMIT University and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council have teamed up to conduct a world-first coffee concrete footpath trial.

Led by RMIT’s Dr Rajeev Roychand and his colleagues, the trial aims to transform organic waste such as ground coffee and wood chips into a viable option for concrete and a valuable resource for the construction industry.

As part of the trial, sections of a footpath along Howey Street in Gisborne were constructed using both roast coffee grounds and wood-chip biochar to test their viability.

Shane Walden, Council’s Director of Assets and Operations, was pleased to be working with RMIT on this innovative project.

“We’re going to have people walking across the concrete that includes these products and RMIT is going to be coming back and doing testing to see how they stand up,” he said.

“Despite the fact that we’re using coffee grounds or mulch, residents aren’t going to really see or smell any difference in this concrete product.

“It’s really important for Council to be involved in projects such as this and to be working closely hand in hand with universities such as RMIT.

“This not only helps improve the knowledge level of our contractors and our staff, but it also has lots of other benefits and benefits that are important to our community.

“This includes helping the environment, acting sustainably and, most importantly, reducing waste to landfill and having a circular economy.”

Australia generates 75 million kilograms of ground coffee waste every year – most of it goes to landfills, but it could replace up to 655 million kilograms of sand in concrete because it is a denser material.

Globally, 10 billion kilograms of spent coffee is generated annually, which could replace up to 90 billion kilograms of sand in concrete.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed a new plan to guide the future development of Romsey township at its recent May meeting.

The newly endorsed Romsey Structure Plan will now guide growth and development of the town until 2050.

It was endorsed at the council’s May scheduled meeting in recent days following an extended period of community consultation in August/September last year. 

Replacing the Romsey Outline Development Plan, the Structure Plan includes determining the protected settlement boundary as required under the Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy. 

A total of 94 written submissions and 213 survey responses were received during the consultation period, with a number of changes implemented into the final plan as a result.

Key features of the plan include: 

• Supporting infill development within the existing Romsey township by changing zoning and overlays to encourage infill development around the Romsey town centre.
• Supporting a high quality and vibrant town centre through providing sufficient land for commercial development and ensuring high quality outcomes using built form controls. 
• Providing land for housing in new growth areas of Romsey that provides housing choice while respecting the Romsey township character.
• Providing enough land in a new Romsey employment precinct on the corner of Greens Lane and Melbourne-Lancefield Road to provide jobs and services to the town.

Mayor Annette Death: “This plan has been a long time in the making, but it is great to have a clear, well-informed direction to support the future growth of Romsey over the coming decades.” 

“A massive thank you to the council officers who worked with councillors to develop this plan, and all those Romsey residents and anyone else who took the time to review the draft plan and provide feedback.

“We hope the final updates made reflect that all feedback is very much valued and thoroughly considered.” 

The Hepburn Shire Council has appointed seven community members to its new Daylesford Community Facilities Project Advisory Group to consult with the council and community on potential redevelopment of Daylesford Town Hall into a community facilities hub.

Appointment of the new Project Advisory Group (PAG) members follows a public Expression of Interest stage with an eighth position to be filled by a youth representative.

The group consists of Adam Fawcett, Joanne Tsakoumagos, John King, Louise Johnson, Sarah Bibby, Sarah Lang and Matt Johnson.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the appointees cover a broad cross-section of the community including gender diversity, LGBTQI+ people, people living with a disability, young families, community groups, seniors groups, arts, library, tourism, and events interests, and those with broader community connections. 

“The PAG membership also encompasses individuals with a diverse array of skills, such as project management, community engagement, marketing and communication, local government, technology and innovation.  We appreciate the time, effort and expertise these members will be putting towards this important project,” said Cr Hood. 

The council has also appointed a lead architect for the Daylesford Community Facilities Project, k20 Architecture, to examine the design and development of a multi-function assembly hall and contemporary library at the Daylesford Town Hall site which includes the Town Hall, office accommodation and Senior Citizens’ room. 

“The architectural and design elements of the multi-phase project will begin with a feasibility and schematic design study. Depending on the outcome of that study and availability of future funding, detailed design and construction will follow,” said Cr Hood. 

Of the eighteen high-quality submissions, the tender has been awarded to k20 Architecture, and the delivery of future stages are subject to outcomes of the feasibility study and future funding. 

The first stage of contracted services covers extensive community and stakeholder engagement, and close liaison with the PAG.

The council is inviting individuals under the age of 25 years, or people with youth engagement experience, to apply for a position on the PAG. EOIs are open until 5pm Wednesday 5 June 2024.   

The Hepburn Shire Council has entered a new 21-year lease for the operation of the Clunes Caravan Park with the incumbent tenants, Matthew and Dorothy Russell.

The new lease provides certainty for the local accommodation venue and continues a commitment from the tenants to improvements at the Clunes Caravan Park since they took over the business a decade ago.

The council issued a media statement that: “business has thrived under their stewardship, and this provides a positive drawcard for visitors to the Clunes township”.

Whenever the topic of bringing added fragrance to our gardens our thoughts go naturally to the old faithfuls – roses, daphne, lavender etc.

We usually overlook the many varieties of trees and large shrubs that could also bring added fragrance as well as shade and shelter for the smaller, less hardy varieties.

And we sometimes also forget about them for the protection they offer from the direct rays of our summer sun and the bonus of perfumed flowers or aromatic leaves.

This group is all the more important, particularly where you are anxious to have shade and, at the same time, perfumed flowers and/or foliage.

Despite the relatively small size of ground left to the garden after the carport or garage, clothesline and the all-important sandpit are given pride of place, there still should be space for at least one large, multi-purpose tree, and in my books that’s the Lisbon lemon.

They are evergreen, fast-growing, with thickly spread lush green leaves, a glorious fragrance and white blossoms, and best of all, they work their magic in drinks, salads and many other culinary delights.

For those who simply don’t have room for the Lisbon, check your local nursery and see if they stock smaller-growing varieties.

The diminutive size of the tree does little to the quality of the fruit or perfume of the flowers. If you wish to grow a Lisbon lemon but your backyard vegetable plot is already overcrowded there’s nothing in the rule books barring you from making it a front garden feature.

Another highly scented, scaled-down choice with miniature oranges for fruit is the cumquat. Highly perfumed flowers are followed by leprachaun cricket-ball sized fruit.

And according to young Paddington Bear it can produce impossible to beat marmalade. If you can’t find a suitable spot in the front garden beds there’s always room for a large potted citrus on a pathway somewhere, especially if it’s a cumquat.

Scented blossom

Amongst the trees which produce scented flowers probably the citrus varieties are the best known but least planted for that purpose.

More than likely that is because citrus have always been regarded as production units and belong in the kitchen garden.

Whilst the ordinary orange, lemon or grapefruit are a bit too large for the kitchen garden, they could certainly find their place in the front garden as a bonus to their lush, green foliage as their white flowers fill the air with a magnificent scent when the tree is covered with bloom.

A tall-growing deciduous tree, tilia, classically known as the Linden tree, is well known for its scented flowers and while perhaps a little large for small gardens (depending on the variety chosen) it is great for open spaces and park plantings.

The heart-shaped leaves, which depending on species, can vary from 5-12 centimetres in diameter, are followed by pendulous trusses of small, yellow, scented flowers. Despite the size of some species it is an attractive tree and deserves to be more widely planted.

Outstanding amongst the scented flowered trees is magnolia grandiflora, a beautiful, highly perfumed tree with large glossy leaves and in summer a profusion of large, bowl-shaped, sweetly scented, ivory-coloured blooms.

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

The Hepburn Shire Council says its Sustainable Hepburn Strategy (2022-2026) is making encouraging progress.

The strategy adopted in 2022, considers matters such as the natural environment and biodiversity, beyond zero emissions, climate resilience and the target of becoming a low waste shire.

At the mid-point of the strategy a high number of the planned actions are either completed or on track for completion, the council says in a prepared media statement.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood says that in the past year, Hepburn Shire has run a successful sustainability expo with approximately 700 attendees.

“The Shire has moved to 100% renewable electricity; launched the Circular Hepburn – Business Toolkit; offered a weekly food and garden organics kerbside collection service; conducted wildlife corridor mapping to support Township Structure Planning and … endorsed the next annual Solar Savers program,” he said.

The new Sustainable Hepburn Community Advisory Committee has met twice since November last year.   

 A progress report indicates the priorities for the next six months. These include conducting an assessment of the council’s climate emergency readiness across the organisation and reviewing its ecologically sustainable design principles in the Planning Scheme.

The council also plans to continue improving the shire’s transfer stations with several initiatives being investigated to avoid valuable resources going into landfill and strengthening local circular economy aspirations.

Police are appealing for information after an 87-year-old man died in hospital following a car crash in Kilmore last week.

It is believed a grey Ford Falcon collided with a tree near the intersection of Wandong Road and Northern Highway last Monday May 20 about 3.50am.

The driver, an 87-year-old Airport West man, was transported to hospital however sadly died on Tuesday, May 21.

Police were preparing a report for the coroner and anyone who witnessed the collision, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Yarra Valley

The Good Food and Wine Show will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from today May 31 to June 2.

Three days to overindulge yourself with hundreds of food and wine exhibitors. There are demonstrations and masterclasses including a Riedel wine glass experience and a beginners’ Champagne class.

I went last year and it can be a very daunting experience with an extensive choice of merchandise on display. My tip is to approach it strategically and only taste a couple of styles of wine. If you are not careful it can become a bit ‘blurry’!

I did this at a recent a fantastic tasting held by Food + Drink Victoria. No, not getting ‘blurry’ of course, but tasting specific styles.

Whilst all regions of Victoria were represented I focused on tasting Yarra Valley wines. The valley has some incredibly good wineries and here is the pick of the bunch out of the 30 wines I tasted.

Let’s start at the top.

Winemaker Sarah Crowe has built on the already impressive reputation of Yarra Yering and tasting her 2021 vintage wines was a stand-out moment. Dry Red No 1 2021 ($155 a bottle) was rich, full bodied with lashings of cedar oak and vanilla with touches of herbs and liquorice on the palate.

Tasting this “Bordeaux blend’ of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot transports you to France and sits you on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Undoubtedly a classic wine.

Not far behind it in quality, but more fruit focused, is the Dry Red No 2 2021 ($135). Predominately shiraz with a smidgeon of viognier, marsanne and mataro, it has a smooth black fruit richness, elegance and a touch of earth and grip on the long finish.

I tried plenty of chardonnays and what stood out was Giant Steps 2022 ($50). It was outstanding, with rich toasty oak with overlays of yeasty lees and stone fruits giving the wine texture. Simply delicious.

More tropical fruit driven, but enjoyable, was the St Hubert’s Chardonnay 2023 ($55), as well as the more elegant Tarrawarra Estate 2022 ($40) and Oakridge Hazeldene 2022 ($48)

Finally, there were plenty of pinot noirs on offer. No standouts but Oakridge Hazeldene 2022 ($48) and Toolangi 2023 ($36) were both good, fruit driven wines.

Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. His 305- page full colour book Australian Wine Guide (7th ed) is available for purchase from Paradise Books in Daylesford or via his website – www.australianwineguide.com.au

Rotary Castlemaine’s 35th annual Art Show will be held over the King’s Birthday weekend, June 6 to 10.

Artist Mark Dober will judge the show this year. Mark’s mother originally hails from the district and he has fond memories of visits to Castlemaine over the years visiting grandparents.

Mark is primarily a painter, focusing on oils and watercolour, and has exhibited in galleries across the country.

The show will be open daily from 10am from June 7 to 10 with a gala opening and presentation of prizes on Thursday, June 6 from 7pm.

The Rotary Castlemaine Art Show raffle will feature a limited edition print, Wilson’s Promontory by artist Jeff Makin, as first prize.

Raffle tickets are $2 and available from Rotary members and at the Rotary table at Maxi IGA in Castlemaine.

Tickets to the art show will be available at the door.

Police are appealing for information from the public following the fatal bus crash in Kilmore last Wednesday.

Emergency services had attended the scene of the fatal bus crash that occurred in Kilmore last Wednesday (May 24).

It’s believed the school bus was traveling along Wandong Road just after 3.30pm when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree.

The driver, a 65-year-old Wallan man, died at the scene.

There were approximately 30 children on the bus and some had sustained minor injuries, while one had sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The exact cause of the crash was being investigated and roads in the area had been closed for some time.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information was now urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Ballarat Divisional Response Unit officers are appealing for public assistance after over $400,000 worth of items were stolen from the Ballarat suburb of Redan last month.

It is believed an unknown offender gained access to a shed on a residential property in Redan sometime between 18 April and 21 April.

Officers have been told that once inside the shed, the unknown offender has stolen a 1969 HK Holden Brougham, which is described as having a white bonnet, a white boot, and a grey undercoat on both quarter panels.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, was working on the car as a project, and it was not registered.

The car, estimated to be worth between $40,000 and $50,000, did not have licence plates at the time.

Investigators believe the same offender has stolen a variety of tools and machinery, including a hydraulic wrench, two welders, four line borers, two bore welders, a chainsaw, a plasma cutter, and a generator.

An assortment of motorcycle gear, scuba gear and two gold detectors were also stolen.

Officers have been told a white van with a trailer was seen in the area on 19 April and 20 April at around midday.

Investigators have released an image of some of the tools (above) in the hope that someone with information will come forward.

Anyone with any information about the theft was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers website.